The Penn's Grove record., 1887-04-09

door. He turned about with feeble
curiosity to ask:
"What have you in the way of ladies'
ornamentsY"
Fontaine led his csutomer to a show
case giittering with bracelets, combs,
pms, and other biioutry.
1.-THE variety has been a little broken
by our Christmas sales" he began
mo matter, l need not trouble you,"
interrupted Mr.. Barton. "There Is
nothing here that l wish
at is the best assortment in townl'
retorted Reginald F~ontaine.
"Very likely. But | came from Paris
only six months since, and shall return
in the spring. l think 1 can afford to
wait until that time before 1 buy"
With some warmth Fontaine few 60
the show-window and caught up the
iocket. He put this before his scornful
visitor.
''IIere Is something you have eve
seen excelled Ill Paris or lsewhere."
Mr.. Barton looked at the locket in
silence. He drew off his gloves and
took up the jewel. He examined it
minutely, and said, at last:
"These are genuine brilllantsp'
"Gu iranteed true diamonds"
"a very handsome affair-very hand
some. This came from France2"
VERSAILLES. tits a masterpiece, sir,
known as the Versailles locket."
"What is the prlce?"
"Three thousand dollars"
Mr.. Barton Inspected it closely, AMI
laid 1t down at last with manifest
| change of bearing. He looked at Regi.
maid Fontaine more cordially, and said,
in an insinuatlng tone:
81 presume you would shade that
price II little for cash?"
II might, a very little, y returned the
jeweier, now speaking eoldly in his
turn.
well, III SEQ. IN send my wife
around to look at it. She likes such
toys, but whether she will buy or not
is quite uncertain. Luckily for me,
she has money of her own. For my
pat, three thousand dollars is too much
to put into n jewell"
"What is your business, Mr.. Bar
TOMB Inquired Fontaine,
"Importer of oil paintings. l AN
also commissioned by wealthy people
to buy works of art abroad, and usually
make a trip once year. Am here now
to receive a shipment from Antwerp.
My wife and | are stopping at the Des-
PLANES House."
He laid down an embossed card.
neatly engraved with his name and
bearing his crest, bowed and sauntered
out.
Three days later a messenger came
to Reginald tontaine with this note:
DEAR SIR: Please bring the locket
to Room "a, Desplaines House, at two
O'Clock this afternoon. My wife wishes
to see it, and is unable to leave the
hotel. l can't promise you that she
will buy; but, as you like to show your
wares, | would be pleased to have you
submit the iocket to her. Yours,
F. +. BARTON.
Reginald Fontaine thought a mo-
ment. Then his dignity asserted itself.
He called his tfusty brother, and
| showed him the note.
Jean, I'll let you wait on these peo-
| pie. Sell the locke5 IL you AN. Get
twenty-seven hundred If you can't do
any better. Take good care of the
locket."
A porter led Jean that afternoon to
Room "a, and knocked upon the door.
"Enter,' y sand a voice within.
Jean went ia. A lovely young wo-
man, richly clad, with pale face and
languid air, reclined in an e%asy.chair.
Before her on q centre-table was a tray
of wine. glasses. Mr.. Barton stood
opposite, and still upheld a newly
opened bottle from which he had just
poured a tiny glass of dark wine. lie
bowed to jean.
"You are from the ieweler'sp"
Eyes, sir"
'step forward, IL you please"
The porter went out and closed the
door. Jean handed forth the locket,
which Mr.. Barton passed to his wife.
"How besutlfulin
She held it to the light and examined
1t critically.
"Had you not better take this nowp"
said Mr., Barton, p~roffering her the
glass of wine.
She took it, and looked toward Jean.
"Perhaps this gentleman she SAID,
suggestiyely.
"Certalnly," replied Mr.. Barton. He
poured out two more glasses, and
pushed one toward Jean. "Will you
Join US, sIr3 1t Is port. Do you like
sweet wlne2"
Jean was yery..temperate and unused
to liquors. But here were a couple,
evidently OF high social rank, accus-
toned, no doubt, to the foreign use OF
wine. II might give offense to refuse,
and bargains often hang on trifes. He
responded ~conTteously, and slipped the
sweet port TO the quick bottom of his
glass.
"Take a seat here" said the lady.
Jean accepted a large EASY chair by
her side. She turned her bright, daz.
| cling eyes upon him.
.You are certain these are real dla-
monds2n
Warranted genuine, madam" re.
turned Jean.
His voice sounded thick to his own
| ears, a strange oppression ose into his
brain, the world seemed rocking upon